You’ve spent a lot of money and are about to invest a lot of time in an upcoming photography workshop. It’s natural you’ll want to make the most of it. And there are several things you can do before hand and during the workshop to maximize your experience.
Preparing for the Workshop
Before the workshop consider these things to get yourself ready.
Know Your Gear
If you’re like some it may have been a while since you last did some serious photography. The technical and creative aspects of photography are skills and like most skills they can diminish with time if not used. So if you find yourself in this position try to do some shooting before you step in your car or board the plane. You don’t have to make a special trip; just shoot around the house if that’s all the time you can spare. But here’s a checklist of technical things you should be able to do with your camera.
– RAW: Set up your camera to shoot in RAW
– Modes: Set and use the different modes – aperture priority, shutter priority and manual
– Histogram: Know how to use the histogram to evaluate your exposure
– Exposure compensation: Be able to fine tune your exposure by using exposure compensation
– Manual focus: Be able to set your lens to manual focus
These are skills that can be worked on during the workshop but if you already have them mastered you’ll be able to focus on other things.
Pack Your Gear
The workshop leader has provided you with an equipment list. But you may have questions on how much gear to bring. Should you bring that ultra-sharp but heavy long lens? A good rule of thumb is to bring as much gear as you can carry on the plane. You don’t have to take it with you in the field but can leave it in your hotel room if the day’s shoot is not going to require it. But on those days when you’ll need it, you’ll have it.
Prepare Your Body
In a recent issue of Outdoor Photographer, workshop leader Gary Hart brings up the point that while workshops may not involve strenuous hiking (the instructor will alert you if it does), the daily routine is late to bed and early to rise and in between there’s a lot of walking and standing. All this can be tiring. So if you have a sedentary life style it’s a good idea to prepare yourself physically by getting a bit of exercise in the weeks before the workshop. Getting out walking in the evenings will mean more stamina during the workshop.
Prepare Your Mind
Experiences like workshops will always be more productive if you have goals. So it’s a good idea to think about what you’d like to get out of the workshop. Maybe you just want to photograph the location where the workshop is being held. Or maybe you want to improve your compositional skills or ability to read the light. Maybe you have technical goals you’d like to accomplish such as reading histograms or HDR. Whatever your goals may be, write them down and share them with your workshop instructor.
During the Workshop
With the preparation outlined above you’re in a good position to get a lot from the workshop. But there are things you can do during the workshop that will enhance your experience even more.
Ask Questions
If you find yourself uncertain about something, ask questions. The instructor is there to make sure you get all your questions answered. Don’t find yourself in the position of heading home and thinking, “I wish I had asked that.”
Copy Each Other and Share What You Are Doing
It might seem like a kind of plagiarism to copy each others’ shots. But growing as a photographer is in part expanding the way you see the world. And a good way to do that is to see the world through other photographers’ eyes, to see what they see. So if you find a great composition that you really like, share it. And if you see someone else’s composition, copy it. Don’t be stingy about sharing.
Photo Reviews
If the instructor plans to do print reviews or photo reviews during the workshop, take advantage of that. If print reviews are on the agenda, bring a half dozen of your best photographs for feedback and discussion. If the schedule allows for photo reviews bring your laptop so you can upload your images and select a handful to share, again for feedback and discussion.
Enthusiasm
Bring your enthusiasm. This is an opportunity to leave the pressures of your every-day life behind and immerse yourself in what we all love. Your enthusiasm and enjoyment will add to the group dynamics and enrich your experience.
Join me on an upcoming workshop. Click here for more details.
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